“Information is the lifeblood of a democracy. Without adequate access to key information about government policies and programs, citizens and parliamentarians cannot make informed decisions and incompetent or corrupt governments can be hidden under a cloak of secrecy.” – Mr. Harper, in essay from 2005[Source]

Mr. Harper’s government has been muzzling Canadian scientists, preventing them from reporting vital information to Canadians.[Source, Source]

Mr. Harper’s government has removed the National Science Advisor. The National Science Advisor plays an essential role of bridging the scientific community and government.[Source, Source]

Mr. Harper’s government prevented a scientist from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans from discussing her research showing the decline of salmon stock.[Source, Source]

Mr. Harper’s government stopped Environment Canada from talking to the media about a study verifying snow borne Tar Sands pollutants in Northern Alberta and cancerous fish in the Athabasca River.[Source, Source]

Mr. Harper’s government fired the president of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hours before she was to testify before committee on the safety of the Chalk River nuclear centre – the oldest running reactor in the world.[Source, Source, Source]

Mr. Harper eliminated the Long Form Census. Without it, numerous research projects and studies cannot continue and it is now more difficult to anticipate the needs of Canadians.[Source, Source]

Mr. Harper has weakened food regulations so that more pesticides remain on Canadian food. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency biologist who attempted to warn Canadians was fired.[Source, Source, Source]

Under Mr. Harper’s government, Canadian media coverage of climate change science has been reduced by 80%. By 2017, funding for climate change and clean air programs will be reduced from $118 million to $55 million.[Source, Source]

Mr. Harper’s government shut down the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, a vital program to the Canadian agricultural industry and scientific community.[Source, Source]

Despite warnings from scientists, Mr. Harper’s government increased the fishing quota of northern cod by 33%. This could potentially cause a complete collapse of the species and an end of a fishing source.[Source, Source]